Sunday, 8 October 2017

MORGENSTER Teachers College in Masvingo has made history by
becoming the first institution of higher learning to dismiss trainee teachers
for owing fees with reports that some students were sent home for owing as
little as $4.

The Masvingo-based college opened on 25 September for the
third and final term of the year and last week sent home more than half of the
students for owing fees. Sunday News also learnt that one of the students died
in a car accident on her way to Mutare after she was turned away from college
over fees arrears.

Some of the affected students who spoke to Sunday News on
condition of anonymity said authorities at the college were in an
uncompromising mood barring students who owed from getting access into the
college premises. The students said authorities at the institution flatly
refused to negotiate payment plans with students, some of whom had paid more
than three quarters of the fees. Most of the students who had made part
payments of their fees said they were hoping to pay the outstanding balance at
the end of October but the institution refused.

“What happened is one had to be cleared first before
admission. So those who were in arrears were sent home immediately regardless
of how little you owe. I owe about $70 and I tried to negotiate but was told to
pay the money in full for me to attend lectures and be allocated a room in the
hall of residence. Someone was even sent home for owing $4,” said one of the
students.

Most of the affected students said they would only be able
to clear their arrears by the end of October.

“By then (October) we will be just a month away from
examinations. All this while we are at home we are missing out on lectures and
catching up will be difficult,” said another student.

Efforts to get a comment from the college principal Mrs Raviro
Chipato were fruitless as she could not be reached. The college accountant, Mr
Tauya Godzamutsipa, declined to comment.

Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology
Development Deputy Minister Dr Godfrey Gandawa said the ministry was yet to receive
any reports on the developments at college.Dr Gandawa, however, said tertiary
institutions should give students seven days after opening to settle their fees
arrears. sunday news